(Now that I think about it, that title makes me want to watch Aladdin…but back to business)
My new WIP involves some serious world building, which isn’t one of my strengths. I focus on things that really interest me (like the agriculture), but tend to avoid areas that don’t (like the politics). So, in case anyone else is looking for help in this area, here are some resources I’ve found:
Author Janice Hardy did a “world building week;” her first post is here. Actually, just read every post she’s ever written, trust me.
Patricia C. Wrede’s Worldbuilder Questions covers all the bases and some I hadn’t thought of.
Becca at The Bookshelf Muse just included a world building post as part of a series on unforgettable settings.
And of course, there’re the Fantasy Novelist’s Exam to check for cliches.
What are your favorite world building tips?
January 25, 2011 at 2:25 am
My favourite advice/article on world building has to be the 7 Day Guide To Building Fantasy Worlds by Michael James Liljenberg.
I keep it book marked and continually re-read.
http://www.elfwood.com/farp/thewriting/liljenbergworlds/liljenbergworlds.html
January 25, 2011 at 3:02 am
Great resource, Nate, thanks!
January 27, 2011 at 1:39 am
You’re most welcome. I hope it helps you.
January 25, 2011 at 4:23 pm
two things:
the first I learned from Tolkein: give your world a sense of history, create a past that exists as history, myths, and legends. A past lends reality to the present you are trying to create.
and second, beware of creating too homogeneous of a world. Every real country/time period has events, movements, buildings, and people that deviate from what’s considered established. A little variety and even an occasional world-contradiction can lend depth and interest.
happy world building
Susan
January 26, 2011 at 1:28 am
Good points, Susan. The deviation is really what raises conflict and motivation, and you need a strong base to contrast.
(Anyone looking for world building in action, check out Susan’s book LOST TIME)
January 27, 2011 at 1:43 am
I’ll have to check out Susan’s book.
I definitely agree with Susan when she talks about creating variety. I get bored of reading fantasy that has a wide human diversity but then you only get 1 or 2 types of elves (usually a good and bad).
Personally I feel that if you’re going to do that then either stick with just Humans or only add in another sentient race but give them many differemt strands of culture, factions and philosophies.